3rd July, 1975.
Ultimately the D day arrived that had been awaited for days together. Dr Satyapal and I were sleeping in the passageway. The police jeep arrived sharp at 11.45 pm.
They awakened Dr Satyapal and asked, “Who are you?”
Dr Satyapal said, “I am a Doctor”.
“What sort of Doctor are you”?
Dr Satyapal pointed towards the dispensary and replied, “this is a free dispensary run by the Keshav Smarak Samiti, I give my services there as a Doctor”.
“Is this not the Sangh office”? The policeman inquired.
“The Sangh office is on the front side”.
“Take us there”, said the police said rudely.
Satyapalji got up and took them to the room on the front side. A nameplate bearing the name – Office – Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was there. When police officers opened the room, there was nothing but a carpet and an empty Almira.
“Is this the only room?”
“No, these four rooms are of Sangh office only”, he replied while pointing to the other three rooms. They could get a similar picture when the other three rooms were shown. “Where are all the people?”
“I don’t know”.
“Who stays here?”
“Someone named Vishwanath.”
“When does he come here?”
“Whenever he wishes to he comes here, whenever he feels like he leaves”.
“Who else do come here?”
“Hundreds of people come and go on a daily basis”.
“Where are their belongings?” asked the police.
Dr Satyapal,” I look after patients here, not their belongings”.
The Sangh office was located in the Keshav Kunj, a portion constructed by Shri Keshav Smarak Samiti. Keshav Kunj comprised two portions – one single-storeyed and the other double-storeyed. The single-storeyed part was the Sangh office having four rooms, while the double-storeyed part runs the activities of the Keshav Memorial Samiti. It encompassed a free dispensary, library, study room and guest house. In the open space between these two buildings, there was an open premise, a peepal tree and two Neem trees were grown. I was sleeping between these two trees connecting two benches. Till now, the police did not gaze at me. All policemen were busy searching the Sangh office rooms, while another policeman was standing on the verandah of the double-storeyed portion, which was hardly ten steps away from me. Any movement from my side and I would have come to his notice. In case I had registered, any movement would have been noticed by him. I had made up my mind to flee from there, just waiting for the opportune time. Towards the Sangh office site, all the tune lights were on. That was the saving grace, as I knew the police searching there would not be able to see me because of the light on the office side. The only danger was the policeman standing near me.
It was 1 am. I woke Shri Moropant Pingle Ji up and informed him that the Sangh Karyalaya was sealed now. He calmly said, “Okay, sleep as of now; we will see what can be done in the morning”
After a while, there was some noise on the road. The policeman stationed at the verandah started seeing outside. He was in the middle of the main gate and my position, seeing outside. I considered that as the opportune time to slip away. Missing it would have got me arrested. I quietly got up, jumped into the verandah, and ran away through the Sangh Sthan (RSS Shakha ground). To avoid noise, I did not even wear my slippers, and left them near the bench I was sleeping on. I just glanced behind to observe whether anyone was chasing me. I was in my undergarments. Going far off in such a situation would have invited more trouble. First, I thought, once the police left that place, I could go back and wear my dress. Another thought was about Dr Satyapal’s situation. Whether the police would arrest him or leave him behind, must be known. From behind, I went to the well side as from the coping of the well, the passage of Keshav Kunj was visible.
On the rooftop, three helpers, cooks and sweepers, were sleeping. One of the police officers woke them up and brought them downstairs. They were also questioned in a threatening voice, like who are you, where are you from, who else stays here, who visits here, etc.
I was watching all this from the well side. All three were boldly and diligently answering the police’s questions. The essence of their replies was that they knew nothing about anyone as they were mere servants. One of them was a Nepali. He was relatively taller and rough in his language. He had to face the maximum questions and abuses. When he did not give any information, he was made to sit in the police jeep. After some time, he was questioned again. He was threatened to disclose whatever he knew, otherwise would be taken to the police station and beaten up. But that Bahadur (Nepali boy) really turned out to be Bahadur (brave). He confronted boldly and shared nothing. On the contrary, he said, if you were taking me to the police station, at least let me wear my shirt. They thought that this servant couldn’t be so faithful that even punishment did not budge him an inch. They spared him, but they sealed all four rooms of the Sangh Kayalaya. Dr Satyapal was not arrested. Three policemen stayed back; one among them was a havildar. So the question of me visiting the office to wear the clothes was completely ruled out.
Therefore, I went to the house of a Swayamsevak who was residing nearby and was a taxi driver. I woke him up, put on his shirt and pyjama, and straightaway went to meet Shri Moropant Pingle Ji. It was 1 am. I woke him up and informed him that the Sangh Karyalaya was sealed now. He calmly said, “Okay, sleep as of now; we will see what can be done in the morning.”
Remember, still, the ban was not imposed on the Sangh.
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